Harrison, who was knighted in 1988, has won or been shortlisted for seven British Composer Awards since they were established in 2003. This year he won in the orchestral category for his Concerto for Violin and Orchestra, and was shortlisted in the vocal category for Angel Fighter, his piece for voices and ensemble.

During his career, Harrison has received many honours, including the Grawemeyer Award in 1968 and the Ernst von Siemens Prize in 1995; he was made a Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 1986, and a Companion of Honour in 2001.